Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are driving the early story of the World Cup with a run of history-making goals that has even casual soccer fans in the United States paying close attention. Messi has been mesmerizing through Argentina's sizzling start. Mbappe has been, in his own word, magnifique. Together, the two biggest stars of the tournament are rewriting the scoring charts while Argentina and France have already punched their tickets to the elimination rounds.
Messi has five goals in Argentina's first two matches, a blistering pace that also pushed him past every previous scorer in World Cup history. His 18 career goals at the tournament are now the most ever recorded. Mbappe has four goals for France through the same stage, putting him tied for second on the all-time list with 16.
Leo always scores. He'll always score. If I want to look at what Leo's doing, I'll have to do even more.
Mbappe delivered that assessment of Messi's consistency as both players keep finding the net at a rate that has defined the tournament's opening act. They are not alone among the game's elite finishers. Norway's Erling Haaland already has four goals in his country's first two games at the World Cup since 1998. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo finally broke out with two scored against Uzbekistan on Tuesday, raising his career World Cup total to 10.
Even with Haaland and Ronaldo adding to the scoring ledger, Messi and Mbappe remain the central figures shaping the tournament's tone. The arc traces back to the 2022 final in Qatar, when Messi scored twice and Mbappe three times before Argentina finally won on penalty kicks in a title game for the ages. The current World Cup has the feel of a continuation of that rivalry at the top of the sport.
There should be plenty of music still to come from both. Argentina and France have already clinched spots in the elimination rounds, and both are among the favorites to win the whole thing.
Messi Defying Age in a Young Man's Game
Messi has scored most of his World Cup goals at an age when most top scorers would be well past their prime. He has scored 12 World Cup goals since he turned 35, and will turn 39 on Wednesday, three days before Argentina plays its final group stage match against Jordan.
Messi, the former Barcelona icon who now plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, still possesses exquisite touch and passing in traffic, and energy and stamina that carry him through an entire match. His production at this stage of his career is central to Argentina's push through the group and into the knockout bracket.
His second goal against Austria came late in the match. Messi passed to teammate Julián Álvarez, whose shot was blocked. Messi chased the rebound and slid the shot through two defenders to seal a 2-0 victory.
We knew that he is on a level of his own, and Lionel Messi showed us today that he's one of the best, and he is the best.
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick offered that verdict after watching Messi decide the game with his persistence on the follow-up chance.
Mbappe Chasing Messi With Every Goal
At 27, Mbappe is in his physical prime with the speed and power to chase Messi's record, not just in this tournament but likely for years to come. He was just 19 when he led France to the 2018 World Cup title in Russia. With his goal against Croatia, he joined Pele as the only two teenagers to score in a World Cup final.
Mbappe scored four goals in the 2018 tournament and has been on a charge ever since. The Real Madrid forward's speed haunts defenders and his power shooting with both feet can overwhelm a goalkeeper. He was the Golden Boot winner as the top scorer with eight goals in 2022. His 16 career World Cup goals match Miroslav Klose of Germany, one ahead of Brazil great Ronaldo.
The numbers underline how quickly Mbappe has climbed the all-time chart. His 16 goals have come in 16 matches since 2018. Messi has played in 28 matches across six tournaments dating back to 2006.
I've always scored goals in the World Cup, so it's not something I'm thinking about or that I'm worried about.
Mbappe said his track record at the tournament keeps the pursuit of milestones from becoming a distraction.
Haaland Making His Mark in World Cup Debut
Norway's big striker could be the biggest threat to Messi and Mbappe as the World Cup's top goal scorer if Norway can stay in the tournament long enough. The 25-year-old Manchester City star has been one of the top strikers in Europe for several years and scored two goals in each of Norway's two victories.
Norway will meet Mbappe and France on the pitch Friday. Both teams have already advanced to the next round, and the winner of the match wins the group.
We're through (to the next round), which is incredible. So I couldn't care too much about that game now. They (France) are probably going to win against us, they're probably going to win the whole tournament.
Haaland framed Norway's advancement as the priority ahead of the group finale against France.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken says Haaland is the player who can push the team deep into the tournament.
He is is the best striker. He's not playing for France or Argentina. He scores for Norway.
Solbakken pointed to Haaland's value specifically as Norway's focal point rather than as a rival to the stars carrying Argentina and France.
When the conversation turned to who stands above the rest in the sport, Mbappe did not point at himself.
It's clear. (Messi) is the best in the world.
Mbappe closed the debate with a direct endorsement of the player he is chasing on the World Cup scoring list. Messi turns 39 on Wednesday with Jordan waiting in Argentina's final group stage match. France and Norway meet Friday with group supremacy on the line. Ronaldo sits at 10 career World Cup goals after his two against Uzbekistan on Tuesday. Haaland's four put him in the same early scoring tier as the tournament's defining pair. The elimination rounds are set for Argentina and France. The race for history at the top of the all-time goals chart is very much alive.
Featured names
- Lionel Messi
- Kylian Mbappe
- Erling Haaland
- And Portugal
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Major League
- Ralf Rangnick
- The Real Madrid
- Miroslav Klose
- Manchester City
- Stale Solbakken
- Stephen Whyno
- The Associated Press
